As part of World Blood Donor Day 2023, June 14, Abbott and the Blood Centers of America (BCA) are introducing a first-of-its-kind mixed reality experience for use during blood donation. The mixed reality technology is an immersive digital experience designed to improve the blood donation process, attract new donors and motivate a younger generation to give blood. Donors wear the mixed reality headset to visit a digital world while remaining fully aware of their surroundings.
Anyone can see the mixed reality headset first-hand and talk with blood donors about the experience during two media open houses:
- Wednesday, June 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aurora Donor Center, 1200 N Highland Avenue, Aurora.
- Thursday, June 15, noon to 2 p.m., Tinley Park Donor Center, 16100 Centennial Circle, Tinley Park.
Versiti Blood Center is one of the first in the country to offer the experience, making the technology available at two locations in the Chicagoland area. More BCA centers across the country will follow.
The effort intends to address the global challenge of sustaining a reliable blood supply. In the last 10 years, blood centers have lost about 30% of donors under the age of 30. The need for blood is constant but currently only 3% of the population donates each year.
— GCI Health